Branded

Material Wins Seven Awards in Local 2024 American Advertising Awards

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Material , a leading insights, marketing and technology company, is pleased to announce it received seven American Advertising Awards from the American Advertising Federation of Austin (AAF Austin), American Advertising Federation of New York City Metro (AAF New York City Metro) and American Advertising Federation of Philadelphia Metro (AAF Philadelphia Metro).

Key Points: 
  • Material , a leading insights, marketing and technology company, is pleased to announce it received seven American Advertising Awards from the American Advertising Federation of Austin (AAF Austin), American Advertising Federation of New York City Metro (AAF New York City Metro) and American Advertising Federation of Philadelphia Metro (AAF Philadelphia Metro).
  • “Winning seven American Advertising Awards underscores the impact our work has on our clients and their customers, affirming our commitment to push boundaries to elevate brands," said Jay Suhr, Material’s Senior Vice President, Creative.
  • "This is a testament to our team's dedication to using deep human understanding as a springboard to craft campaigns within a competitive landscape that resonate with audiences and drive business.”
    The American Advertising Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding creative work in the field of advertising.
  • It is the largest and one of the industry's most respected and comprehensive competitions, attracting over 55,000 local entries from across the nation.

LMC Announces 2024 Executive Board

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

Scripps Co.; re-appointed Rafael Cores, Impremedia; and newly elected Nick Ames, McClatchy, and Carolynn Buser, OnMilwaukee, to its executive board.

Key Points: 
  • Scripps Co.; re-appointed Rafael Cores, Impremedia; and newly elected Nick Ames, McClatchy, and Carolynn Buser, OnMilwaukee, to its executive board.
  • The LMC executive board is composed of nine elected and three board-appointed members with digital expertise from a diverse mix of local media companies.
  • "We are pleased to welcome Nick and Carolynn as new board members, and for continued engagement from Tom, Rafael and the rest of our board," said Fran Wills, CEO of the LMC.
  • First-time LMC board member Carolynn Buser is the chief operating officer at OnMilwaukee.com and LiFT Digital based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

HIT INFLUENCER COMPETITION SERIES "FOLLOW ME" GREENLIT FOR SEASON TWO

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

LOS ANGELES , Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Venture 10 Studio Group today announced its influencer competition series FOLLOW ME has been renewed for a second season, to debut on the free streaming service Crackle, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment company, and The CW App. Ten new episodes will launch in Q2 2024 with Mars Wrigley and other major sponsors slated to return from its debut season. FOLLOW ME, hosted by Bethany Mota, shows fans what it takes to build a brand as an influencer in the social media age.

Key Points: 
  • Ten new episodes will launch in Q2 2024 with Mars Wrigley and other major sponsors slated to return from its debut season.
  • FOLLOW ME, hosted by Bethany Mota, shows fans what it takes to build a brand as an influencer in the social media age.
  • In FOLLOW ME, aspiring stars – each with a unique talent, background, and strategy for success – will compete in business-themed challenges across the series.
  • The program showcases the intense competition as they are tasked with building their follower bases.

Local Media Outlets Report Digital Ad Revenue Trending Up, LMC Survey Finds

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Local Media Consortium today announced the findings from its Local Media Industry Insights Survey 2023, which asked local media industry professionals about the year-over-year state of the industry and outlook for 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Nearly half of the local media respondents (49%) reported digital advertising revenue was up in 2023 versus the previous year, with 21% saying it was flat and 19% reporting a decrease in digital ad revenue.
  • Looking ahead to 2024, a majority (79%) of local media industry professionals anticipate an increase in overall digital revenue, while only 3% expect a decrease in digital revenue next year.
  • "It's encouraging to see that local media professionals have such a positive outlook for their digital business, despite many challenges navigating the ever-changing digital landscape," said Fran Wills, CEO of the LMC.
  • To address this need, the LMC launched its Digital On Demand Services (DODS) program to provide local media companies with broader, lower cost access to technical resources.

BrandEd Announces CEO Transition

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BrandEd, the leading provider of experiential and professional education offered in partnership with premier brands, today announced the appointment of Brandon Busteed as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2024. Busteed will replace Michael Chung, who has been CEO of BrandEd since founding it in 2014. Chung will take on the role of Vice Chairman of BrandEd and work with the Board to continue to provide strategic support and guidance.

Key Points: 
  • Busteed will replace Michael Chung, who has been CEO of BrandEd since founding it in 2014.
  • Chung will take on the role of Vice Chairman of BrandEd and work with the Board to continue to provide strategic support and guidance.
  • "On behalf of the board, I want to thank Michael for his vision and entrepreneurial drive in founding BrandEd and developing it from an idea to the vibrant organization it is today," said Andy Snyder, BrandEd Chairperson and CEO of Cambridge Information Group (CIG), which owns BrandEd.
  • I look forward to continuing to work with CIG and Brandon as BrandEd enters its next phase of evolution."

US Multicultural Media Spend to Grow at Accelerated 8.3% to 45.8B in 2024, as Hispanic, African & Asian American Markets Benefit from Influx of Political & Sports Dollars

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2023

STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- United States multicultural advertising and marketing spending, including Hispanic, African and Asian American markets, is expected to surge 8.4% to a record $45.83 billion in 2024, following decelerating growth of 5.7% in 2023 compared with the strong upswing in 2022, according to new research released today by PQ Media, the world's leading provider of media econometrics.

Key Points: 
  • As a result, many of PQ Media's diverse Global Opinion Leader Panelists reported that multicultural media budgets were reduced in 2023, particularly by newer emerging brands.
  • Nevertheless, the strong positive momentum in these growing markets is outweighing the negative events occurring on the perimeter.
  • For example, multicultural media financial investments have begun to increase in late 2023 and into 2024, such as The Pivot Fund aimed at expanding minority news sources.
  • Additionally, political media buying – both advertising and marketing – on multicultural media outlets is projected to surge in 2024.

National Beverage Corp. Reports Record Revenues and Double-Digit Earnings Growth

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 7, 2023

National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: FIZZ) today announced results for its second quarter and six months ended October 28, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: FIZZ) today announced results for its second quarter and six months ended October 28, 2023.
  • Compared to the prior year:
    Net sales increased to a record $300 million,
    Gross margin improved 250 bps to 36% of net sales; and
    Earnings per share increased 21% to $.47.
  • “We are pleased to report our tenth consecutive quarter of record sales and another quarter of strong earnings growth and improved operating margins.
  • “Our focus remains on brand growth, innovative flavors, Zero Sugar introductions and unique new LaCroix flavors.

Frozen Food Manufacturer and Ingredient Supplier Harvest Food Group Taps CPG Veteran Amit Pandhi as New CEO

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 27, 2023

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Nov. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harvest Food Group (HFG), a leading co-packer, supplier and distributor of frozen food products, announced high-growth CPG veteran Amit Pandhi as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 6, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • NAPERVILLE, Ill., Nov. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harvest Food Group (HFG), a leading co-packer, supplier and distributor of frozen food products, announced high-growth CPG veteran Amit Pandhi as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 6, 2023.
  • Harvest Food Group, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in June 2024, was purchased by Industrial Opportunity Partners in May 2023.
  • "I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Amit Pandhi as our new President and CEO," said Norman Young, chairman of HFG.
  • "HFG is a rare case study of success in all frozen food categories, including Branded, Private Label, Food Service, Co-Manufacturing, and Ingredients.

Branded Hospitality Ventures and Results Thru Strategy Announce Partnership

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 10, 2023

NEW YORK and CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Results Thru Strategy (RTS), strategic advisor to restaurant brands, technology companies, and investment firms, and Branded Hospitality Ventures (Branded), the leading investment and solutions platform dedicated to the hospitality and foodservice industry, today announced they had reached a partnership agreement.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK and CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Results Thru Strategy (RTS), strategic advisor to restaurant brands, technology companies, and investment firms, and Branded Hospitality Ventures (Branded), the leading investment and solutions platform dedicated to the hospitality and foodservice industry, today announced they had reached a partnership agreement.
  • Through this partnership, RTS will provide culinary, supply chain, and branding advising and consulting across operations, technology, marketing, and go-to-market strategy to Branded clients, partners and connections, which include emerging and growing restaurant brands and technology companies.
  • "We're excited to bring complementary resources to support the growth of emerging and growing restaurant and technology brands through this partnership with our highly respected peers at Branded," said Fred LeFranc, Chaos Strategist and CEO at Results Thru Strategy.
  • "Results Thru Strategy's business acumen and technology background make them a great partner to augment Branded's industry connections along with our deep bench in innovation and capital," said Michael "Schatzy" Schatzberg, Founder & Managing Partner, Branded Hospitality Ventures.

Whole Earth Brands Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

CHICAGO, Nov. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whole Earth Brands, Inc. (the “Company” or “we” or “our”) (Nasdaq: FREE), a global food company enabling healthier lifestyles through premium plant-based sweeteners, flavor enhancers and other foods, today announced its financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2023 and revised its outlook for the full year 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Reported gross profit was $37.5 million, compared to $35.0 million in the prior year third quarter.
  • Reported gross profit margin increased to 27.9% in the third quarter of 2023, compared to 25.9% in the prior year period.
  • Corporate expenses for the third quarter of 2023 were $9.0 million, compared to $6.0 million of expenses in the prior year period.
  • The Company will host a conference call and webcast to review its third quarter results today, November 9, 2023, at 8:30 am ET.